Nebraska Extension researcher recognized
Bijesh Maharjan was recently awarded the 2024 Gamma Sigma Delta award for Outstanding Extension Program at the annual awards reception of the Nebraska chapter. Maharjan is an Extension specialist and associate professor in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and is located at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center in Scottsbluff.
Maharjan has developed a widely recognized and effective soil health and fertility program. Addressing soil fertility issues related to cropping systems in the Panhandle, such as corn, sugar beet, dry edible beans, winter wheat, and other new crops such as mint.
In addition to soil fertility, Maharjan is well-regarded for his input into science and the adoption of soil health. Maharjan and his team coined and popularized terms such as soil health gap and soil health (management) cycle, which are critical for the comprehensive understanding and progress of the science of soil health and for promoting soil health practices.
PHOTO: Panhandle Research Extension and Education Director John Westra, left, and Bijesh Maharjan, Nebraska Extension Specialist, with his award at the annual Gamma Sigma Delta banquet. (Eric Buck)
